So, I just finished watching The Go Masters...I guess this movie is so uncommon even IMDB or google couldn't find a cover picture for it. (you try searching for it...I couldn't find anything!) Anyways, it was really interresting--and supposedly the first co-Chinese/Japanese produced film ever made. While I was watching it I was getting total flash backs to everything I learned in EACS 4B...all the various 'incidents' that happened, both in Japan and China. It was interresting seing both sides of the movie, although even though it was a co-made movie, the Japanese (country) was portrayed worse than the people. But, considering the bulk of the movie takes place between 1931 (Manchurian Incident)- 1945 (end of WWII) that was to be expected.

Like most Chinese/Japanese movies it ended bittersweet.

If you couldn't tell from the title, the movie is about "Go", of Japanese chess, if you prefer. It was really cool watching how Go can transcend cultural boundaries. And, not suprisingly I was reminded of Hikaru no Go, which I really now want to re-watch. Hikaru no Go (or Hikaru's Go) is one awesome anime series, filled with blatently slashy overtones, awesome theme music, and a plot that combines Heian/Classical Japan with the present. I love Hikaru no Go, and I feel like re-watching it. Maybe once I am back in school. I feel the rekindling of an obsession coming on.

Up for it Joanna?

Now, if only I knew how to play Go better, or I would totally start a club at UCSB--but as it is, my Go skills are like weak tea....

So, I drove my mum to the airport this morning. She is going off for an 8 day visit to Canada with my sister (yes, the same relatives I visited in March). This means that it is just me and my dad in the house. This also means the house is very quiet--with my dad watching TV in one room, and me on the computer/reading/drawing in another room. I miss her already. :(

I work a different shift this week than I did last week--and I discovered I like working during the day hours a lot better. 11-4 is resonable to me, because I still have the evening in which to accomplish things. Plus, I am not so tired by the time the day is done. Although today I had to work from 11-5 because they messed up the shedualing...it really wasn't so bad, but I just had that mental state of 'OMFG I'LL BE OUT OF HERE BY 4' and then when I heard I had to stay around for another hour I basically was a total bitch to the customers.

1.) Those who ask the price of an item when they are staring directly at the menu

2.) Those who don't know the difference between 'to go' and 'for here' and get confused.

3.) Those who say for here--and then 3/4s of the order change it 'to go'

4.) Those who complain about our bottled juices/products. They don't like the way the juice tastes--well, we certainly can't help that, can we? They are bottled. We have no control over it. And, if they don't like the pizza, don't eat here--because they all taste the same.

5.) Those who complain about the crust and want me put it in the oven. Far me for me to point out that putting it in the oven only makes the crust more hard.

6.) Those who add something extremely last minute to their order--like once they have already paid and I have rung them up. The most common one is, 'Oh, do'ya have any ranch?'

7.) Those who continually ask for things one after another after another--when most likely I would just get them for you automatically. 'Do you have any ice water?' 'Do you have a bag?' 'Can I have some napkins?'

8.) We give out free ice water--which sometimes doesn't have ice because it is melted away. Then, customers demand ice in their water. Why can't they just be like the French and not like ice in their beverages? (incidently, we have 5 French people today...and 2 German...and 3 Spainish...:3)

These things aren't that big a deal, but just things that pile up...

I swear, what is it with people and pizza and ranch sauce! I personally don't understand it.

I updated another comic to  obakin tonight. You know, my summer plans are being swallowed up by work and these comics. In their favor, they are certainly quicker/easier to product than my dolls/other projects/painting my bathroom/cleaning my room.

...

...

The house is so quiet.

I forgot my book from the library at my sister's apartment. I sort of wanted to read it--it's really funny and amusing. Its called, "The Hokkaido Highway Blues". Its by a Canadian. Even better.

...And does anyone else think Degrassi is kind of cute? I hardly watch it, but I wish I was a bubbling teenager like that and make that oen of my little obsessions. Oh, those crazy Canadians.

Today...felt like I was in Japan. I don't know for who else resides in N. California, but the weather was just odd. After a week of weather in the high 90s-100s, it was a blessing that we finally received a day of cloud-cover. Originally, I thought it was fog like we have a tendency of getting in the summer. Yet, the clouds did not go away. Infact, they lingered all day--these high clouds, like cirius clouds--with a warm muggy heat. It reminded me of me of my humid days in Nagoya with this insubstantial weather. I was so reminded of those days, and things like the corn tidbits I had every day in my bento box entered my mind. I remembered taking the densha, and when we went to a student-teachers meeting at a highschool (and I first saw the poster for Cutey Honey). What suprised me even more was later that evening when we actually got a little bit of rain! Imagine that!

This evening, I also saw Shakespeare in the Park: A Midsummer's Night Dream. It was, er, an interresting interpretation of it, to say the least. Puck reminded me of a deranged-rooster-trying to copy Beavis and Butthead impersonating Gollum. It was really really weird. All the fairies were sort of demonic with masks and they laughed evily (I was distinctly reminded of evil little goblins from Labrynth, and that little creature in Return of the Jedi who stares at Jabba's tale, and laughs: he-ke-ke!). It was sort of creepy. Bottom and Helena were the best-acted in my opinion (and my family's) because they made the characters their own--they weren't afraid to make fun of themselves. All the fairy people, in general, were just stupid. They all wore masks so you couldn't even see their faces. And not like cool masks: these were ugly degranged masks that reminded me of an Evil House-Elf. Also, Oberon stood like....I don't know what, but his legs were flexed throughout the show and he sat around lunging like a modern-dancer.

It was just weird.

But, nice being together with my family, eating Togos, and relaxing a bit after another week of stressful classes and work.

(Incidently, I love music that Sukiyaki is like...this hokey kind of Japanese music. Anyone got any to share? In particularly from the 1960s-1980s?)

Geek moment of the day:
I'm walking through Kerr hall, and I pass by a door. Inside, I see a girl and she exclaims, "What are you talking about!? I am SO excited for Star Wars!" And I could only think to myself, "Pitiful fool." as I smirked down the rest of the building.

Eye-Opener(s) of the Day:
(1)The bigger my hair is, the smaller my body looks.
(2)I gave up my seet for a blind man today. As I sat next to him I began to think about what it would be like to be blind--to have all visual aids cut off from you. I tried riding about half the bus-ride in darkness, but I failed, sadly. In anycase, the man seemed nice, as did his dog.

New Thing(s) of the Day:
(1) I now offically have 4 piercings in my body. I just peirced my ears again for the second time. Hopefully my mom won't freek out when she seems. Set me back 17 of my remaining 20 dollars left.
(2) Going to go see "Polynesian Dancing" tonight, although I would prefer to see Hamlet on the Moon. If I can get some money out of my parents, I'll go see it next weekend.

Sad point of the Day:
(1) I only have....10 dollars to last me the rest of the school year. I think a phone call is in order for mum and dad. Ack!

Random tidbit of the Day:
(1) I finished Kodomo No Omocha. The ending left me down, somewhat. Sana was just being stupid through the last two volumes.
(2) I just had my FINAL Japanese quiz of Japanese 6.

Lexi Highlights
I have a new Obsession du Jour (coined by Maura). It's Hayden. Nothing too over the top yet. But, at least I think people approve of Star Wars more than they do of Phantom of the Opera.

Weekend Plan's
I might actually attend a BBQ at Goleta Beach for my Residence Hall. Geeky, yes. But hey, I *wanted* to do something on the beach this weekend. I don't know if it is *just* for Santa Cruz, but anyone else willing (or those who I drag along) feel free to come. I may resurrect my Kite!

Currently Reading PHANTOM By SUSAN KAY see related